Any tips for my first commute

[scottie]

Hi all,
Should have my new hybrid by the end of the week.

Hoping to use it about 3 times a week for the 10-12 mile each way commute(depending on route) to work. On the other two days I still need to take the car in.
Any advice on how the first few days might go? My main concern is being confident enough to stay on the road....

I have not really ridden a bike regularly since uni days(a good 9-10 years ago) but do keep quite fit through footy and running.


(PS thanks to Magnatom for the PM advice already - maybe i'll tag along beside u when u pass the cross..!!!)

 

[Dayvo]

Ask Mr Magoo to send you Cycle Craft by John Franklin when he's finsihed with it!

But seriously, it is a book recommended for both new cyclists and the more experienced ones, to help them understand the road and its users in a safe and sensible way.

Your fitness will come with time. And look for the Scottish CC rides; there are plenty of forumers down there in Scotland!

Good luck and be safe.

 

[Downward]

Take all your work clothes in the car and leave them at work

 

[gaz]

take it easy and pase yourself, you need to be able to get home as well. I see a few people overtake me, but i know that i have to do at least 140 miles in a week, and most of them probably don't do half of that.

 

[slowmotion]

My feeble top two tips.

1) Do not ride too close to parked cars. Someone will open a door

2) Check your quick release wheel nuts before each ride. I had been riding to work and the last bit was in front of a double decker. Carrying the bike up the stairs to the office...the front wheel fell off.

Good luck, and have fun

 

[purplepolly]

Try and do the route first when there's less traffic, like early morning at the weekend. This way you can familiarise yourself with turnings, potholes, positioning etc without the other commuters.

 

[gazmercer]

Be one with the bike, LOL

Have fun and enjoy the ride. Confidence will soon come to you!

 

[davidg]

Try and do the route first when there's less traffic, like early morning at the weekend. This way you can familiarise yourself with turnings, potholes, positioning etc without the other commuters.

this. dry run at the weekend will do no harm at all

 

[Arch]

Try and do the route first when there's less traffic, like early morning at the weekend. This way you can familiarise yourself with turnings, potholes, positioning etc without the other commuters.

good idea. And having those two days to rest will help - what's the pattern, will it be bike-car-bike-car-bike, or are the car days bunched up at one end of the week?

Have you got padded shorts? Gloves? Your pressure points will complain a little at first, but they'll soon settle down.

Also, if you really feel tired one day, or not up to riding, don't force it. Soon the endorphins will take over and you'll want to do it whatever.

I assume you have lights, waterproof jacket etc? I imagine your ride home at least will soon be in the dark...

 

[purplepolly]

Have fun and enjoy the ride. Confidence will soon come to you!

You might find cycling in traffic a bit stressfull at first but a lot of that will be because you're not used to it and it will get easier as you gain experience.

 

[HJ]

Have FUN!

 

[johnr]

Give yourself a bit more time than you think you'll need so you can take it easy all the way. Take yourself a treat for when you get there... you'll deserve it.

 

[ed_o_brain]

Don't undertake on the left hand side approaching a junction where drivers maybe turning left.

 

[slowmotion]

Arch is right about gloves!

Get some ones with padded gel inserts on the palm. I bought Endura FS260. Buy them somewhere where you can try them on, rather than on-line. They made the whole ride much less painful when I started commuting three months ago after a ,"ahem" , very long time out of the saddle.

Have fun.

 

[slowmotion]

Oh yes, one last thing,

High Viz jacket. You may not look at all cool, but I, personally, would trade that for looking like a cool corpse. Wear one, and one that works well in the dark and the rain. Please. Please.

A yellow one like this maybe

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/cycle/7/dhb_Amberley_Waterproof_Jacket/5360037015/

Have fun.